BAe Systems signed a five-year contract to support the ARTISAN radar, which equips the aircraft carrier NAM Atlântico, of the Brazilian Navy.
The equipment was installed on the ship when it was still the Royal Navy’s HMS Ocean, and is considered quite capable and modern – it is currently used by other British vessels such as its Type 23 aircraft carriers and frigates and the new Type 26 ship.
Under the agreement, BAe will provide assistance to the Navy not only for the radar but also for the DNA2 Combat Management System (CMS), providing spare parts, help-desk and sending engineering teams for training to Brazil.
“The signing of this contract represents a relevant step towards ensuring full availability of the combat system and ARTISAN radar on board NAM ATLÂNTICO,” said Admiral Cunha, Marinha do Brasil.
“We’re delighted to have signed this support service contract with the Brazilian Navy. Our teams of engineers are looking forward to working with and providing support for the ARTISAN Radar and DNA2 Combat Management System to enable NAM Atlântico to continue its vital role as flagship,” said Laurie Ellis, Head of Radar, Maritime sector at BAE Systems.
Atlântico was acquired from the Royal Navy in 2018 to be the Brazilian flagship after the decommissioning of the São Paulo aircraft carrier in the same year.
In 2020, the Brazilian Navy changed the name of the vessel, then considered a “Multipurpose Helicopter Carrier”, to “Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier”.
To justify the change, the force claimed that “such a change in the type of ship is due to the vessel having the ability to operate on its deck with remotely piloted aircraft as well as vertically landing turboprop aircraft”.
